Category Archives: distracted driving

Distracted Driving – Cell Phone Manipulation Persists

An Arizona law making it illegal to hold a cellphone while driving cut handheld conversations, but other problems remain, according to a study published today by Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). In Arizona, the number of warnings issued by state police fell by about a quarter and the number of citations fell by a third between 2021 and 2024.*

“These results are a bit of a reality check. ‘No holding’ laws are a positive step, but it will take more than better-worded legislation alone to combat cellphone distraction,” said IIHS President David Harkey. Continue reading

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Safety – League of American Bicyclists and IIHS

The safety wish list of the League of American Bicyclists** includes many priorities that fit into an IIHS program, the nonprofit’s policy director said in a video recorded at the IIHS Vehicle Research Center. Those goals align with the Institute’s 30×30 initiative, which outlines a vision for reducing road deaths 30% by 2030 with the help of policymakers, transportation engineers, vehicle manufacturers and other stakeholders. Continue reading

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IIHS Safety Award to Use Risky Driver Behavior Tech

Vehicle technology that can detect certain types of risky driver behavior will soon be added to the requirements for a safety award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the Institute’s president, David Harkey, announced today during a roundtable on impaired driving organized by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).

“As part of our 30×30 vision to cut U.S. road deaths 30% by 2030, we are committed to addressing the risky – and often illegal – behavior that underlies most fatalities today,” Harkey said. “One way we plan to do that is to leverage our ratings and award programs to encourage automakers to adopt this new class of safety technology, just as we got them to improve vehicle structures, airbags and collision avoidance systems.” Continue reading

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IIHS President – NHTSA Must Act Decisively on Fatal Crashes

Faster, more decisive action is required from America’s vehicle safety regulator is needed “to reverse a drastic escalation in fatal crashes on the nation’s roadways,” David Harkey, president of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, said at a Congressional hearing today.

“The United States is in the middle of a road safety emergency, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is failing to meet the moment,” Harkey said in written testimony submitted to the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce’s Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade, which convened the hearing on the state of NHTSA and motor vehicle safety. Continue reading

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Audi Adds AirConsole Gaming for Passengers

AirConsole and Audi claimed progress in the controversial area of in-car entertainment with the launch of AirConsole’s interactive gaming platform today. In Audi models equipped with a passenger display, Audi’s Active Privacy Mode, a so-called digital curtain that blocks the screen from the driver to perhaps prevent distraction, allows the front passenger to enjoy gaming while the vehicle is in motion. Previously limited to parked scenarios, in-car gaming now allows non-driving passengers to play throughout the ride. This electronic doodad now available in the Audi A5, Q5, A6, A6 e-tron, and Q6 e-tron model series equipped with Android-based infotainment systems, in all markets where Audi operates. Continue reading

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Ford and Lincoln Add Zoom App Meet on the Move

Ford Motor (NYSE: F) said today that it is launching the Zoom app Meet on the Move. It is built and customized specifically for vehicles in the U.S. equipped with the all-new Ford and Lincoln Digital Experience.* With the new digital cabin, customers can bring along things they use in their so-called digital life, including their favorite apps to be entertained or to stay productive on the go – all without a smartphone – Ford said in a release. This is unique because it offers an immersive experience built directly into the vehicle, which is different from using smartphone projection. Whether this is a distinction without a real difference remains to be seen. Continue reading

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BMW Panoramic iDrive and Operating System X Debuts

The BMW Group today is providing the first opportunity to experience the “close-to-production version of the new BMW iDrive, complete with its so-called centerpiece, BMW Panoramic Vision, at the Consumer Electronics Show in Los Vegas. The software behind it is the new BMW Operating System X, which acts as the intelligence hub behind the new display and operating concept. The system will be introduced in all new BMW models from the end of 2025.

“High tech meets highly intuitive operation, a quarter of a century of pioneering work and technological leadership in operating concepts has been channeled into the new BMW Panoramic iDrive,” said Frank Weber, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, responsible for Development. “The foundations are provided by the new BMW Operating System X. With this advance, we are giving one of the world’s best and most comprehensive infotainment systems even greater capability and once again setting the industry benchmark in multi-modal interaction. Continue reading

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April 20 – aka 420 – Marijuana Impaired Driving is Illegal

Today being 420 for stoners,* AutoInformed says don’t believe that marijuana won’t affect your driving. Driving impaired by any substance—alcohol or other drugs, whether legal or illegal—is against the law in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Continue reading

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Distracted Driving Laws – Hands Free Results Vary

“In the first few months, reporters write about it, the government runs campaigns for it, and police officers actively educate drivers about it. Over time though, resources and attention shift to other areas,” said Cambridge Analytics. Continue reading

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Connected Car by Verizon for BMW Begins in US

Verizon Business has started Connected Car by Verizon an in-car connectivity service for some BMW models in the US. The subscription plan has voice, data, unlimited Wi-Fi hotspot connectivity for $20 per month. Continue reading

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Friends, Families Can Change Distracted Driving Behaviors

“It may come as a surprise, but many drivers still don’t realize how dangerous it is to check a text message or glance at their Instagram feed while they’re zipping along the road,” said IIHS Research Associate Aimee Cox, the lead author of the study. Continue reading

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Infotainment: Mercedes-Benz Group and ZYNC

Through ZYNC, Mercedes-Benz customers will be able to access a range of third-party global and local streaming services. The first application of ZYNC is planned for the end of this year in the EQS and S-Class in Europe, with rollout in further models and markets planned for 2023. Continue reading

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Software – Automakers Out of Touch with Drivers and Safety

“Having a giant touchscreen interface is really about saving hardware costs by implementing everything in software,” says Blackie. “Recently, though, there’s been growing disquiet as years of ergonomic study and usability experience are abandoned in the rush to cram everything onto a single screen.” Continue reading

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2022 Ford Super Duty Pickup Gets 12-Inch Screen

The new, landscape-oriented 12-inch center touch screen with SYNC®4 is standard on Lariat and above models, with physical controls below for quick access to commonly used functions. Occupants can easily multitask functions by splitting the screen to see navigation, music, truck features and the new digital owner’s manual. Continue reading

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Ford Picks Google over Apple for Connected Vehicle Offerings

This raises yet again privacy concerns and who owns and can sell your personal information.  The Pew Research Center notes that a digitally networked society runs on, well, quid pro quos. In this non-impeachable case, people exchange details about themselves and their activities for services and products on the web or apps. Continue reading

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